“Kata follows the essence of martial arts which is to minimize movement.” – Tsuguo Sakumoto 9th dan Ryuei Ryu . Karate for me is about efficiency of movement, efficiency of combat, and natural movement lies at the heart of this efficiency. . Karate has been described as unnatural movement that you do, until it becomes […]
“Kata follows the essence of martial arts which is to minimize movement.” Read More »
This is the second part to ‘Muchimi’, (explained here for reference to an earlier post) . The second meaning of the word muchimi derives from the Japanese word “muchi” (鞭 whip), thus implying you should use your body like a whip. Muchimi, defines a powerful technique linked to the progressive and fluid acceleration of that
Muchimi is relaxation, a more ‘flowing’ way of producing power. Read More »
What is a good age to retire from martial arts training and teaching? . NEVER, is the usual answer to this question. Why would you retire? . There is no age limit to practicing the martial arts, the only limit is the “self”. Your actual age does not limit you in any way from practicing
What is a good age to retire from martial arts training and teaching? Read More »
空手は湯の如し絶えず熱度を与えざれば元の水に還る – (karate wa yu no gotoshi taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru) “Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.” – Gichin Funakoshi . I believe this applies to anything that we do in life. Sometimes we end up sick, injured, and run-down, and at times
“Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.” Read More »
“Karate, it’s both physical and mental. The ability to withstand pain and to become accustomed to fear. That requires both physical and mental sides.” – Kiyohide Shinjo 9th dan Uechi Ryu . You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses. . You know yourself better than anyone and you know
You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses. Read More »
“The first contact is the key. Rather than attacking each other at a distance, the point is how to reduce your own risk. So I make contact most of the time. I want to reduce the possibility of being attacked by the opponent as much as possible. [..] I don’t think you want to let
“In reality, it is often much easier to defend against an attacker at close range!” Read More »
“First, we’ll make a sacred pact. I promise to teach you karate. That is my part. You promise to learn. I say you do, no questions. That is your part.” – Nariyoshi Miyagi – Miyagi-do Karate . It’s all about priorities, right? After all, you only practice a couple of times a week….. “I have
So STOP making excuses. You know when class is! Read More »
People don’t usually read articles or posts that are online fully, they just skim through the content, or just view the image and move on. Some will then comment without any context or regard for the content. This makes me ask the question; do people really pay attention during their training? . Sometimes it’s good
Shut up and listen. Read More »
“Compared to Jiu Jitsu, karate is more destructive, Jiu Jitsu is the art of throwing and holding and is slow compared to karate” – Kentsu Yabu from the Honolulu Advertiser July 9, 1927 . “Does this work?” is a meaningless question without the qualifier of “works for what?” . There is a huge difference between
“Does this work?” is a meaningless question without the qualifier of “works for what?” Read More »
Funakoshi wrote; “A student well versed in even one technique will naturally see corresponding points in other techniques. A upper level punch, a lower punch, a front punch, and a reverse punch, are all essentially the same. Looking over thirty-odd kata, he should be able to see that they are essentially variations on just a
“I always say that it is not about grade, but about substance. Even if wearing a white belt, doing your best is what matters most. This is what I try to pass on.” – Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shubukan Shorin Ryu . If you are visiting another dojo outside of your group, or changing
“I always say that it is not about grade, but about substance.” Read More »
You run into lots of different attitudes in the martial arts (and out of it), most are extremely positive, but some extremely hateful. While all of us would prefer the positive, unfortunately there are those that just prefer to hate. . Hate is an emotion that gives us a feeling of intense hostility and aversion,
Slow down, have the intelligence to let hatred go, and live life. Read More »
